I have been taking off time since the site visit on September 12. I do not expect to get our preliminary results before the possible government shutdown, which would occur on October 1, so we may have to wait a while longer.
We headed to the beach last week, intending to come back today before Yom Kippur this evening. However, our plans were altered because of Tropical Storm Ophelia, which was more or less barreling towards the Delaware coast, with projected torrential rains and high winds on Friday night and Saturday morning. We decided to return home on Friday, and I promptly developed an upper respiratory virus infection, non-COVID division. I am not very ill, though I now have a nagging cough. The beach house appears to have survived.
Hopefully, I will recover in time for Tuesday evening’s Kovach Lecture, to be held in the Copley Formal Lounge at 4 p.m. The lecture focuses on cura personalis and is named in honor of one of John Marshall’s former patients. This year’s speaker is U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, congressman from Maryland, who undoubtedly is known to you. Rep. Raskin is a Georgetown Lombardi patient and is now a two-time cancer survivor. As is customary at these events, the lecture is actually a conversation, which this year will be led by me (cough permitting), with participation by Rep. Raskin and his primary hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Joe Roswarski.
I had the privilege of reading Rep. Raskin’s wonderful book, “Unthinkable,” in preparation for this event. Written before his most recent cancer diagnosis, the book chronicles his son Tommy’s suicide, just one week before the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021, and then the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump. Raskin tells a story of amazing personal resilience and fortitude in the midst of nightmarish tragedy. Little did he know that, shortly after finishing his book, another existential challenge was looming.
I have so many questions, and very much look forward to the conversation.
Stay safe and be well.
Lou
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